Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Laying Bricks, Laying Honors
Jul 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view as the US Army Reserves – 377th Military Police Company Honor Guard stands on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Fallen Macon firefighter’s sons throw ceremonial first pitches at Braves game
ATLANTA — The crowd at Turner Field cheered Wednesday night as the children of a fallen Macon-Bibb County firefighter walked to the mound.
Lt. Randy Parker’s sons, Andrew, 22, and Chandler, 9, were tapped to toss the ceremonial first pitch during Firefighter Appreciation Day as the Braves took on the Colorado Rockies.
“We were more of a football family,” Andrew Parker said while waiting in the stadium concourse.
So to prepare, he and Chandler tossed the ball a bit Wednesday before leaving for Atlanta.
“I don’t think it’s really hit them until (Wednesday),” said their mother, Sandie Parker.
As the game was about to get underway, a picture of Randy Parker in his firefighter dress uniform flashed on the large screen in center field.
The boys’ 46-year-old father was killed in February when a floor collapsed during a house fire.
As baseball fans paused for a moment of silence for Parker’s sacrifice, his widow gently wiped away tears while she stood in the first row near home plate.
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Dozens of the lieutenant’s former colleagues from the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department traveled to Atlanta for the game.
During pre-game festivities, about 500 firefighters and family members marched around the field, with the Parkers taking the lead.
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For each ticket sold Wednesday night, $5 was donated to the Georgia Fallen Firefighter Foundation.
[ Ed. note: Photos and videos available at the link above ]